Are you getting a little tired of the usual sports? Well, if you’re in the mood to try something new, then take a weekend off to bond with the elements:

Aerial sports

            Angeles City, Pampanga is the country’s hot spot for hot-air ballooning and flying on ultralight aircraft. The Clark Special Economic Zone hosts an annual hot-air ballooning festival, one of the largest in Asia. Going up on ultralight aircraft is also one of the main attractions of Angeles City: ultralights are fragile-looking aircrafts that put the pilot out in open air, allowing one to truly experience the thrill of flying through the air.

            For skydiving, Tanuan, Batangas is an ideal spot as you get dropped off between Mt. Makiling and the Taal Volcano, allowing you to enjoy the majestic beauty from the sky above.

Caving

            Also known as spelunking, caving allows you to see the wonders below the earth’s surface. If you want to try it without investing in any special equipment, head on to the Sagada Caves in Mountain Province. These caves have underground streams and cool natural pools. Together with a local guide, you can take a basic tour for three hours. Of course, you can opt to spend the whole day appreciating the beauty underground.

            The Bukidnon Caves in Mindanao could pose quite a challenge to the more adventurous, as many of the caves remain unexplored. A local group known as Speleo Mindanao can provide guides and equipment. Because the Bukidnon Caves are more challenging, exploring them may require an extensive immersion that may be well worth it anyway: Basag Cave has three waterfalls that average five meters in height.

Sea Kayaking

            This may be a new sport in the Philippines, but we do have 7,107 islands to explore. The islands north of Palawan are a treat for all marine-lovers. Bring your snorkeling gear to see the most extensive collection of coral reefs in the country. Explore the jungles found in the islands. Camp in hidden, deserted beaches. And of course, bring your boat for kayaking.

            Those looking for adventure should try Siargao, Surigao del Norte. One end of the island faces the Philippine Trench, allowing the sea to run into a tropical coast. The other end boasts of an expanse of virgin mangrove swamp, one of the largest in the country. A rich breeding ground for marine life, it’s a different kind of exploration that an adventurous kayaker shouldn’t miss.

Karting

            If the words “Formula One” light you up, the next best thing to an F1 drive is karting. All karting fanatics can head on to the Manila Speedzone inside The Fort. For 550php, not only do you get to use the race track, you also get to wear the race suit, balaclavas, helmet, and race shoes. So now that you’ve got the look, see for yourself if you’ve got the driving skills to boot.

If this list has left you wanting for more, try visiting the Wow Philippines website or the website of the Department of Tourism for more ideas and places to visit. The Philippines has so many natural wonders, it’s about time we started exploring them.